BY ADRIAN REECE

Justin Trudeau is instituting a new tax break to end off 2024. He is temporarily eliminating GST/HST on certain goods. At face value, this sounds like a boom to the economy and the cost of living that many Canadians are struggling under and have been for the past four years. Some politicians particularly Pierre Poilievre who disagrees with this tax break, which is met with disdain from the citizenry, especially since his political position is to “axe the tax.”

At face value, eliminating taxes on goods is a positive thing for most people. However, long-term effects need to be taken into consideration. The issue here lies in the production of goods. Eliminating taxes, but not producing more goods will ultimately drive up the cost of goods down the line. Causing an even bigger problem.

Taxes should be used to create a surplus of what we need. We must purchase more bread, vegetables, and foods to live healthier and more satisfying lives. However, this tax “break” isn’t looking to produce more goods, but instead make goods scarcer, driving up the cost of what’s left, making it considerably more difficult for Canadians to afford to eat and live. The dollar can only stretch so far, and it has been slowly running out of purchasing power over the last few years.

We are one year away from the next federal election, and previously our prime minister hasn’t instituted anything that would necessarily help citizens. This, like everything else at face value, appears to help Canadians significantly get on their feet; however, when examining the long-term effects of what is being put into place, the results are more daunting than they first appear.

By driving up the cost of food again we will shortly begin to see another setback Canadians must navigate. There have been too many things instituted by the Trudeau government that have negatively impacted Canadians.

In preparation for the tax break beginning December 14^th, 2024, and ending February 15^th, 2025, grocery stores have begun to raise their prices. This is a tactic to recover potential lost profits that they are predicting they will lose in the tax break. With the raising of prices, it also looks like a more embedded tax structure, where taxes are mixed in with the price. This is a structure that some countries in the East use, which psychologically makes their citizens feel much better about their purchasing power.

Poilievre has publicly stated how this initiative hurts Canadians, and he wants us to focus on creating and producing more in order to really bring taxes down. Loosely considering his position, he wants to create more homes produce more goods and have more stock for Canadians to purchase. With more goods comes lower prices, with more homes comes lower housing prices, with more stock comes more ability for your dollar to make an impact and fill up your home with what you need.

Things at face value are not always what they appear to be. While this appears to be helpful, long term Canadians should prepare for another raise in their grocery bills, so they will be getting less for more with the same wages they have been earning.

It is time for a new government. Canadians are suffering under the current administration and it is time for a change. We are less than a year away from our opportunity to make that change.

BY PAUL JUNOR

Michelle Joseph is on a mission to inspire and empower through the art of storytelling, motivational dialogue, and impactful words. As a blogger, podcaster, author, world traveler, foodie, and writer, Joseph recently launched her debut book, Words with Michelle: Inspirational Conversations with Today’s Black Canadian Changemakers. The book was unveiled at Word on the Street in Toronto on September 28^th and 29^th.

Joseph’s website, wordswithmichelle.com, captures the essence of her work. Describing herself as a “blogger and podcaster passionate about meeting new people and sharing their stories,” she goes on to explain the inspiration behind the book. “This book was born from the powerful conversations I’ve had over the years with contemporary Black Canadian changemakers. These transformative discussions span a decade of insights and experiences.”

In her book, Joseph profiles a range of influential Black Canadians who have made significant contributions to society. Through her podcast, she has hosted a diverse group of guests, discussing everything from navigating natural hair in the workplace to the impact of social media. “Through these conversations, I’ve come to understand that every changemaker has had a defining moment in their life that sparked transformation,” she says. “Their stories and lessons have deeply influenced my own journey. In the book, I share not only the successes but also the lessons I learned from my own missteps—hoping that they can guide you in your own pursuit of passion and purpose.”

Some of the remarkable changemakers featured in Words with Michelle include:

• Tracy Moore
• Celina Caesar-Chavannes
• Jonathan Shaw
• Ebonnie Rowe
• Brandon Hay
• Andrew Trey
• Jam Gamble
• Kofi Frempong
• Andrea Lewis
• JD Vishus
• Dwayne Morgan
• Mugabi Byenkya

Michelle Joseph has hosted several book signings in celebration of the release including:

• October 4^that Indigo in Ajax
• November 2^ndat Different Booklist in Toronto
• November 30^that the Toronto Holiday Market, located at 2 Colonel Samuel Smith Park Drive.

With Words with Michelle, Joseph is inviting readers into a world of stories that are sure to inspire, challenge, and motivate anyone seeking to make a positive impact in their own life or community.

BY STEVEN KASZAB

Ernesto Cardenal was once the Minister of Culture from 1979-1987. A Nicaraguan Catholic Priest, a poet, politician and liberation theologian. A renaissance man who supported, fought for the Nicaraguan people and the working citizens of Latin America.

I had the opportunity to communicate with Ernesto over a three-year period. As a Franciscan Friar (TOR) I had written to the man, and surprisingly he wrote back. Several letters followed between us, during a horrendously difficult time for Ernesto and his people. This was because of his writings and political attitudes the Church of Rome threatened expulsion.

You see, the Catholic Church in Latin America was supported by regional power elites, wealthy landowners who demanded the Church somehow bring the restless peasantry under control. Yes, violence and revolution were anathema to the Church, and Popes and Cardinals attempted to rein in their foot soldiers (Clergy) through their vows of obedience.

Many of the clergy in Latin America lived with and supported their congregations, demanding that the often oppressive and violent landlords of the area stop manipulating and oppressing their people. Ernesto wrote that previous to the revolution many peasants simply disappeared or were arrested only to be returned with obvious signs of torture and abuse. Over taxation, stealing what land and crops these poor people had, and denials of their rights to free elections drove many to violent rebellion.

Then Daniel Ortega became more prominent, gaining control over the revolutionary council and organization. Promises of free elections, land reform, equality before the law, protection of the regions, and Aboriginal peoples were made. The revolution succeeded despite American adventurism through its injection of Contra Forces in the region. Daniel Ortega became President, and with the support of Cuba and other progressive forces began to carry out those policies promised. President Ortega has dabbled in international drug trafficking, making his contacts through his relationship with Cuba. NARCO influences are everywhere in Latin America, especially in the poorer regions. Employment of the poor, seemingly free money and corrupt officials are common realities. This President has been responsible for the deaths of thousands, imprisonment and national expulsion of those who oppose him.

Ernesto Cardinal, like most ideologies, did not recognize the political movement’s evolution towards centralized dictatorship until it was too late. In time Daniel Ortega became one of Latin America’s dictators, establishing a family oligarchy that seems to still sustain itself, while receiving intelligence and financial assistance from America.

Nicaragua is isolated internationally, while EU and American Corporations continue to exploit their natural resources in a limitless fashion. Nicaragua is one of Latin America’s poorest nations. Another revolutionary movement is afoot financially supported by foreigners and Nicaragua’s neighbors.

The Caribbean has a number of dictatorships: Haiti, Venezuela, and Cuba, while in 1977, 17 of Latin America’s countries were dictatorships. A Latin American’s experience politically migrating from one nation to the other, is much like moving from one room to another while on the Titanic. No real difference, but with all the fear and oppression. Latin America offers its resources, and cheap labour to the world, and this exploitation grows as does the region’s population.

Dreamers like Ernesto Cardenal must deal with a: greedy, corrupt and unimaginative political system that has not changed over the past hundred years. Those who wish to change the system face a wall of oppression, undue influence and foreign intrigue. Jesus Christ was to Ernesto a true rebel, presenting a new law that would tumble the old law, represent the “lambs” of this world as something to fight and struggle for, achieving a “heaven” on earth, as opposed to the promised paradise the church presents.